Intestinal parasitoses in the Kandy area, Sri Lanka

Area of Science:

• Medical Parasitology
• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Intestinal parasitic infections remain a significant public health concern globally.
• Understanding the prevalence and distribution of these infections is crucial for targeted interventions.
• Sri Lanka has historically faced challenges with intestinal parasite burdens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of intestinal protozoa and geohelminths in two distinct populations in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
• To investigate the association between intestinal parasite infections and non-specific abdominal complaints in adults.
• To assess the current status of Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium in the study area.

Main Methods:

• Stool samples were collected from adult outpatients and pre-school children in Kandy.
• Samples were examined using direct smears, formol-ether concentration, and cold Ziehl-Neelsen staining for Cryptosporidium.
• Prevalence data were analyzed, and infection rates were compared between symptomatic adults and controls.

Main Results:

• Geohelminth infections were prevalent, with Ascaris lumbricoides being the most common species (21.3% in adults, 24.5% in children).
• Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts were found in a small number of pre-school children.
• No significant difference in parasite infection rates was observed between adult patients with abdominal complaints and matched controls.

Conclusions:

• Geohelminths, particularly Ascaris lumbricoides, are common in Kandy, affecting both adults and pre-school children.
• The absence of Entamoeba histolytica may indicate a declining prevalence in Sri Lanka.
• Abdominal symptoms in adults in this population were not strongly associated with the presence of intestinal parasites.